Cats settle for conference split
<p>Wildcat Jesse Willis has a shot swiped away by the Polson keeper at the last second last week.</p>
The Columbia Falls boys soccer team split the bill last week, dropping Polson 2-0 at home Sept. 25 but losing to Whitefish 4-1 on the road Sept. 27.
Daniel Skinner and Keenan Jessat scored against the Pirates. Skinner knocked one in on a feed from Jessat at the 24-minute mark to open the scoring. Jessat added another five minutes later on a pass from Jesse Willis.
The Whitefish game was played under the lights at Memorial Field. The Bulldogs dominated play with 14 shots to the Wildcats’ four.
Keeper Brandon Karberg made a valiant effort but was often left trying to defend point-blank shots. Daniel Skinner had the Cats lone goal.
“It was great seeing him get another goal,” coach Peter Browne said. But overall, the loss was disappointing. The Cats really needed at least a tie.
The Cats are now 2-6 overall and 1-3 in conference play. They face Bigfork again Thursday at home in a 3:30 p.m. start and then Libby away Saturday. If they can beat both teams, the Cats will still be in the hunt for a playoff spot.
“We have to win two or three more games to advance,” Browne said.
Polson 0 0 — 0
Columbia Falls 2 0 — 2
COLUMBIA FALLS — Daniel Skinner (Keenan Jessat), 24:00; Jessat (Jesse Willis), 29:00
Shots on goal — Polson 6, Columbia Falls 9; Goalie saves — Polson 5 (Trevor Bassler), Columbia Falls 6 (Brandon Karberg); Corner kicks — Polson 3, Columbia Falls 4; Fouls — Polson 4, Columbia Falls 15; Cards — 2 yellow for Columbia Falls
Columbia Falls 0 1 — 1
Whitefish 2 2 — 4
COLUMBIA FALLS — Daniel Skinner, 53:00
WHITEFISH — Jared Johnson (Scott Marsh), 12:00; Johnson, 23:00; Casey Ling (Johnson), 51:00; Sam Heutmaker (Johnson), 72:00.
Shots on goal — Columbia Falls 4, Whitefish 14; Goalie saves — Columbia Falls 10 (Brandon Karberg), Whitefish 2 (Sam Benkelman); Corner kicks — Columbia Falls 1, Whitefish 6; Fouls — Columbia Falls 9, Whitefish 10; Cards — 1 yellow for Whitefish.